Jiangsu Province Attractions
Jiangsu Province Articles
Internet Cafes
Hotels usually charge way too much for internet use....
Hotels usually charge way too much for internet use. The plus side is that they should have a reliable connection and often have the English version of Windows.
If you want something cheaper (but a bit dirtier) then try to find an internet café (wǎng ba, 网吧). There are over 100,000 internet cafes in China. You can find them on the side streets in all of the cities. A typical internet café sign contains the characters "网吧" alongside a picture of some videogame character such as those from World of Warcraft.
The government is strict about the operation of Internet Cafes so you may have to show some ID. They may or may not ask foreigners for a "shēnfènzhèng" (ID card, 身份证). Foreign students can show their student card which will be issued by their University. A passport would suffice too.
Hours
Internet cafes are open almost 24/7. However, according to some internet cafe owners, they have to shut down for at least part of the day due to regulations. Some will shut down at night. Some stay open at night and close at about 5 or 6 am when the hardcore gamers go home, and then open up in the afternoon. Some have people pay a night fee and then close the doors and windows at about 12 locking everybody inside until 5 in the morning when they officially open for business again.
Software
The typical computer in an internet cafe has a Chinese version of Windows, Internet Explorer and a bunch of online games.
The Word "Wǎng Ba"
The Chinese pinyin for "internet cafe" is "wǎng ba". The "a" in both syllables is pronounced as it is in the English word "long" and like singing "la la la" in English.
The Chinese characters are "
".
"."Wǎng" means net so try to remember that the Chinese character also looks like a net. "Ba" is a phonetic translation of the English word "bar".
Bargaining
Bargaining in China is a game. If you know the rules and play the game with good humour you will find that you can often reduce prices significantly.
Where Bargaining is Acceptable
...Bargaining in China is a game. If you know the rules and play the game with good humour you will find that you can often reduce prices significantly.
Where Bargaining is Acceptable
You can bargain for a better price at most types of businesses in China. You can bargain at the night markets, small clothing stores, street vendors, tour agencies, realtors and some indoor markets. You cannot bargain at stores that use barcodes to mark their items or when buying train tickets from the train stations.
If you are not sure if you can bargain at a specific place then look to the Chinese customers as an example. Do not listen to what the business has to say because they may say prices are fixed when in fact they are only fixed for people that don’t know any better.
How to Bargain
When bargaining take the attitude of "there’s nothing to lose."
Foreigners are often quoted prices that may be as much as 20 times as high as the equivalent price would be for a Chinese person. However, just because they quote that price does not mean they will not settle for less. After hearing their offer you should reply with an offer that is much lower. As long as you have a smile on your face don’t be afraid to make an offer that you think is even lower than the value of the item. If your first offer is too high you might lose out, but if it is too low you don’t have much to lose.
It is a habit for travellers to mentally translate prices into their own home currency. Try not to do this.
If you are in a tourist area DO NOT IMPULSE BUY. Even if the vendor drops the price from 90 yuan to 20 yuan you may still not be getting the best price. Chances are that there are many people selling the same item within the area so check out your options first. Again, you can’t lose by checking out your other options.
In busy markets the initial price you will be quoted for an item will get lower as you walk farther into the market. Why? Because the shop owners in the middle of the market know you have likely already seen the item at several other stores so they will give you a more competitive price right from the start. They also know that they can’t tell you that that teapot on display is an original that they personally crafted because they know you would have already seen multiple replicas in the other shops on the way.
You should check for flaws in each item at each shop you visit. Do not take product quality for granted. If it has large flaws don’t buy it but if it has any small and acceptable flaws you can use that to push the price down a bit.
If you want to push the price down just a little bit more then learn to look disappointed and walk away. This is a common tactic. The seller will often only shout out their cheapest price as you walk away from them. If they don’t shout a cheaper price to you and you still want to buy from them then just come back later. They will still be there. You’ve got nothing to Lose.
Simplified Bargaining Steps
- Ask for the price and make sure they provide the first offer.
- Offer a much lower price than the price they quote you.
- Check the item for flaws.
- Smile and talk the price down.
- Put on a slightly disappointed face and walk away.
- If time permits, repeat this process with similar vendors.
- Choose the best one and pay your money.
- Make sure the change given is authentic and get going.
Bank Accounts
Opening a bank account in China is simple. It usually only requires a tourist visa. Some banks may require a residence permit as well.
Opening a bank account in China is simple. It usually only requires a tourist visa. Some banks may require a residence permit as well.
The Chinese Government’s English website contains a page of links to many banks in China.
Top Jiangsu Province Tours
$50 Per Day
Nanjing Hiking tour with local tour guide Sam
It`s springtime, it`s hiking time!
This tailor-made tour is for people who like nature, history, and hiking!
Ming Tomb (Admission: FreeCNY) - Nanjing became the capital of China when Zhu Yuanzhang founded the Ming Dynasty in 1368. During his reign, Zhu Yuanzhang built the great city walls of Nanjing, the imperial palace, and his future tomb - the Ming Tomb in Nanjing. The Ming Tomb is a certified UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a must-see for travellers to Nanjing.
...Read moreIt`s springtime, it`s hiking time!
This tailor-made tour is for people who like nature, history, and hiking!
Ming Tomb (Admission: FreeCNY) - Nanjing became the capital of China when Zhu Yuanzhang founded the Ming Dynasty in 1368. During his reign, Zhu Yuanzhang built the great city walls of Nanjing, the imperial palace, and his future tomb - the Ming Tomb in Nanjing. The Ming Tomb is a certified UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a must-see for travellers to Nanjing.
Xuanwu Lake (Admission: Free) - Close to the city center and featuring 368 hectares of water and 104 hectares of land, Xuanwu Lake Park is a favorite getaway for locals. Well before the sunrise and even after sunset, the park is bustling with visitors. Some come to walk, jog, or fly kites, others to practice Tai Chi, and many more just want to enjoy the scenery.
Nanjing Food Court - my favorite local Nanjing restaurant, Nanjing people like to go there with family. It`s a resultant with a lot of Nanjing local food and ancient style of decoration, at night they will have Kunqu playing, coolest restaurant ever.
City Wall (Admission: 45CNY) - Nanjing City Wall, constructed during the Yuan and Ming Dynasties between 1365 and 1386, originally stretched over 30km which made it the longest city wall in the world. Now, with about two thirds of the wall still intact it still remains the longest city wall in China. We could walk on the city wall and feel the history of Nanjing.
*Please contact me for daily tour fees, i charge by per tour, not per person.
$80 Per Day
Relaxing Hot Spring Tour at Tangshan Area
Nanjing Tangshan is famous for the hot spring, hot spring is good for your skin and health, and relaxing your body and get rid of the press.
Maybe you don't like all the tourist attractions in the downtown, here would be one of another option.
This tour will be only visit 2 attractions and the rest will be spend the whole time in the hot spring. Or, if you prefer, you can only go for the spring.
Tour plan would be:
Hotel pick up -----> Yangshan Stele -----> Tangshan Ancient Ape Man Caves -----> Hot Spring -----> Send back to hotel.
...Read moreNanjing Tangshan is famous for the hot spring, hot spring is good for your skin and health, and relaxing your body and get rid of the press.
Maybe you don't like all the tourist attractions in the downtown, here would be one of another option.
This tour will be only visit 2 attractions and the rest will be spend the whole time in the hot spring. Or, if you prefer, you can only go for the spring.
Tour plan would be:
Hotel pick up -----> Yangshan Stele -----> Tangshan Ancient Ape Man Caves -----> Hot Spring -----> Send back to hotel.
Since Tangshan is a little town outside of Nanjing city and it`s quite far away, i would suggest to use a private car to drive there directly.
$40 Per Day
Nanjing nightlife tours - Bar crawling
In recent years Nanjing’s nightlife scene has undoubtedly changed for the better. The 1912 bar district is a common place to start a tour of Nanjing’s nightlife as it features Nanjing’s largest concentration of bars and clubs. Besides 1912, bars, pubs, clubs, karaokes, restaurants and not-so-mentionable locales are dispersed across the city, especially near Xinjiekou and close to the student population.
...Read moreIn recent years Nanjing’s nightlife scene has undoubtedly changed for the better. The 1912 bar district is a common place to start a tour of Nanjing’s nightlife as it features Nanjing’s largest concentration of bars and clubs. Besides 1912, bars, pubs, clubs, karaokes, restaurants and not-so-mentionable locales are dispersed across the city, especially near Xinjiekou and close to the student population.
Nail Jazz Bar is a light bar with good Jazz muisc, live sometimes, they have over 50 kinds of imported beer from all over the World, the Draft beer Hoegaarden is with special roam and taste, for lady, here have over 100 cocktail to choose, lovely and enjoyable. The price here is quite as other bars, short cocktail for 28 Yuan, long drink cocktail for 38 Yuan. Hoegaarden draft beer, 38 for 0.3L and 68 for 0.5L.
Behind the Wall - A cozy atmosphere, decent food, live music and cheap margaritas make Behind the Wall a popular hang-out, especially with the foreign student population. Inside, Behind the Wall’s three rooms are linked by over-sized arched doorways, and provide seating for groups of two to ten. Mexican, Latin and Greek cuisine is served. The drink menu is varied and not too expensive by Nanjing standards - margaritas are served for only 15 Yuan from Sunday to Thursday.
Castle Bar - Castle Bar is lively on weekends and can become packed during special events. However, during weekdays staff members often outnumber customers. A good place if you like dancing.
Secco Restaurant and Bar - Great German restaurant and bar in Nanjing, they have a good rang and selection of cocktail made by a German, he is also the manager there, really strict to every cocktail he made, always bring you the best taste.
Finnegans Wake - A traditional Irish bar in Nanjing,offering Kilkenny, Guinness and strongbow cider on draught.
Please contact me for daily tour fees, i charge by per tour, not per person.